M83 > Sex

[Dusty Chalk]

Yes, that's right, "...better than sex".

Finally picked up on this long-time Masonjar recommendation, Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts, by M83. OMG! This is so good. So many blissful moments -- the opening notes of track two, others. I really liked the combination of retro synthesizers and shoegazer songwriting/sensibility. The production isn't as completely over-the-top saturated in reverb as the classic shoegazer recordings, but still...enough to completely subdue the vocals (what are they singing?). The production actually makes me think of Steve Albini a little bit -- the minimalism adds a "starkness" to the recording that appeals to me.

Reminds me of Stereolab doing a Slowdive cover, with a touch of Kraftwerk thrown in (but then, that's kind of redundant, mentioning Stereolab). Oh, and Curve's "Unreadable Breakdown" definitely comes to mind. This album is like one long version of that track. Well, alright, it's got more variety and songs than one song, but ... you get the idea. The aurgasm factor is definitely there.

Mason -- you have to hear Shape of Despair.